Stapling machine



July 7, 1931. c. F. CAPELL 1,813,839

STAPLING MACHINE Filed May 29, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

Y (111 1 F (Ya well A TTORNRY y 7, 1931- c. F. CAPELL 1,813,839

STAPLING MACHINE Filed May 29, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

A TTORNEY.

Jlily 7, 1931. c. F.-CAPELL STAPLING MACHINE Filed May 29, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet '5 I NV EN T0 aarzz'cz aezl A TTORNEY.

July 7, 1931.

C. F. CAPELL STAPLING MACHINE Filed May v29, 1930 4' Sheets-Sheet 4 R m m w.

' BY Cizrlfi'aagaelz ATTORNY.

Patented July 7, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CARL F. CAPELL, OF SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T ORNA-METAL AWNING CORPORATION, OF LAS VEGAS, NEVADA,

A CORPORATION OF NEVADA STAPLING MACHINE Application filed May 29,

This invention relates to a stapling machine for hingedly connecting together the panels of metal awnings and the like, and has for its primary object to provide, 1n a manner as hereinafter set forth, a machine of such glass by means of which such panels may be hingedly connected in a manner to withstand the exertion of a maximum pulling force thereon without separating.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character aforesaid which includes means for forming a length of wire into a staple and inserting the ends thereof through openings in the panels which it is desired to hingedly connect, and further including means for securely anchoring the end portions of the staple with respect to one of the panels.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, :but it is to be understood that the description and drawings are to be taken as illustrative and that the invention is intended to be limited only by the scope of the claims hereunto ap- 20 pended.

In the accompanying drawings in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the several views Figure .1 is a front elevation of a machine in accordance with thls invention.

Figure 2 15 a side elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a rear elevation thereof withthe supporting frame shown in section Figure i is a sectional view through the supporting frame showing the staple afiiX- ing mechanism in front elevation.

Figure 5 is a sectionthrough the supporting frame showing the hole punching mechanism in rear elevation.

Figure 6 .is a sectional detail taken at a 1930. Serial No. 457,198.

point indicated by the line 66 of Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a sectional detail taken at a point indicated by the line 77 of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation of the hole punching mechanism.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary bottom plan of a pair of anels showing one of the staples connecting the same.

Figure 10 is a sectional detail showing the position of a staple when first inserted through the panels to be connected thereby.

Figure 11 is a sectional detail showing the preliminary clinching operation for the end portions of a staple.

Figure 12 is a sectional detail showing the final clinching operation of the end portions of a staple.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the numeral 1 designates generally a horizontally disposed skeleton frame from which is suspended a vertically disposed skeleton frame indicated generally at 2. The frame 1 is provided at the sides thereof with rotatable wheels 3 adapted to ride along a track 4 for supporting the frames 1 and 2. Mounted on the horizontally disposed frame lis a hole'punching. mechanism indicated generally at 5 and a staple aflixing mechanism indicated generally at 6. s

The hole punching mechanism includes an angle plate 7 which extends transversely of the frame 1 adjacent the'forward edge of the latter. Extending in parallel relation to the vertically disposed portion of the angle plate 7, and in spaced relation thereto, is a supporting bar 8 to one end of which is secured a pair of spaced uprights 9. The uprights 9 are disposed on opposite sides of the bar 8 and project above the latter. end pivotally connected to the uprights 9 is asupporting arm 10 for a guide element indicated generally at 11. The guide element 11 projects beyond the free end of the arm 10 and is formed in its projecting end Having one 'spect to the spacer block.

face with a horizontally disposed slot 12. The guide 11 is normally maintained in engagement with the upper face of the bar 8 by means of a tension spring 13, one end of which is secured to the arm 10, and the other end of which is secured to the frame 2.

Carried by the supporting bar 8 is a needle supporting device indicated generally at 14. The needle supporting device 1 1 includes a pair of spaced uprights 15 which are fixedly secured at their upper ends to the supporting bar 8, and which depend below the latter. The uprights 15 are disposed on opposite sides of the bar 8. Interposed between lower end portions of the uprights 15 is a spacer block 16 which is formed with a pair of vertically disposed openings having threaded walls for engagement with the threads of a pair of adjusting screws 17 which extend through the block 16. Each of the adjusting screws 17 is provided with a lock nut 18 by means of which the adjusting screw may be maintained in proper position with re- Seated on the upper ends of the screws 17 are a pair of needles 19 which extend through vertically disposed openings 20 in the supporting bar 8. The needles 19 further extend through openings 21 in the guide element 11 when the latter is seated on the supporting bar 8.

'The needles are formed with tapered upper ends as indicated at 22. Extending through one of the uprights 15 and into the supporting bar 8 are a pair of set screws 23 for engagement with the needles 19 to maintain the latter in seated position with respect to the adjusting screws 17 r Having one end pivotally connected to the uprights 9 adjacent the upper ends of the latter is an arm at upon the free end of which is mounted a s pporting device for a pair of elongated needle receiving elements 25. The supporting device for the needle receiving elements 25 is indicated generally by the numeral 26. The supporting device 26 is of elongated formation disposed at a right angle to the arm 24 and is formed with vertically dlsposed openings 27 into which the needle receiving elements 25 slidably' extend. The upper end portions of the opemngs 27 are formed with threaded Walls for engagement with the threads of a pair of adjusting screws 28, each of which is pro-' vided with a lock nut 29 for maintaining the same in ad usted positlon. The upper ends of the needle r ceiving elements 25 are maintained in engagement with the lower ends of the adjusting screws 28 by means of a pair of set screws 30. The needle receiving elements 25 are formed at their lower ends with upwardly tapering recesses 31 for the reception therein of the upper ends of the needles 19.

Having its upper end pivotally connected with the arm 2 1, intermediate the ends of the latter, is a link 32, the lower end of which is pivotally connected with a foot treadle 33 pivotally mounted on the frame 2. The arm 2 is normally maintained in an elevated position with respect to its pivotal mounting by means of a tension spring 34, the respective ends of which are connected with the treadle 33 and frame 1. Pivotally connected to the uprights 9, adjacent the lower ends of the latter, is a lever 35 which is arranged with respect to the supporting bar 8 to permit a limited reciprocating movement of the lever beneath the bar. Seated on the free end portion of the lever 35 is a pin 36 which-slidably'extends through an opening through the bar 8 into engagement with the lower face of the guide element 11. The action of the spring 13 normally causes the guide element 11 to depress the pin 36 whereby the handle 37 of raised position as shown in full lines in Figure 5. Upon the actuation of the handle 37 to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 5, the pin 36 is moved upwardly by the lever 35 whereby the guide element 11 is raised from its seated position on the bar 8 to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure Seated on the upper face of the arm 10 is a spacer block 38 which provides a stop for the arm 2 when the latter is moved downwardly, to prevent the walls of the recesses 31 from coming into contact with the needles 19.

The stapling mechanism includes an angle plate 39 which is mounted on the frame 1 rearwardly of the plate 7 and in parallel, spaced relation thereto. Extending in spaced, parallel relation to the vertically disposed portion of the plate 39 is a supporting bar 40 to one end of which is secured a pair of spaced uprights :1 projecting above the bar 40. The uprights 41 are disposed on opposite sides of the bar 10 with one of such uprights interposed between the bar 40 and the vertically disposed portion of the plate 39. Slidably mounted on the bar 10 is a shuttle bar 42, the upper face of which is in sliding engagement with a spacer plate 13 secured to one of the uprights l1. A forward end portion of the shuttle bar 42 is provided with a side plate 44 which forms arshoulder 4C5 which is normally maintained in engagement with an edge face of one of the uprights al by means of a tension spring 416, the respective ends of which are secured to the side plate 44; and one of the uprights 41. At the outer end thereof,.the shuttle bar 12 is provid d with a handle member 47 by means of which the shuttle bar may be moved longitudinally against the tension of the spring 16.

Having one end pivotally connected with the bar 40 is a trigger arm 18 which is provided adjacent its free end with an upward projection 49 for'eng'agement with. the walls of a recess 50' formed: in the lower face of the shuttle bar 42. The projection 49 is normally maintained in engagement with the lower faceof the shuttle bar- 42'by means ofatension spring 51 the respective ends ofv which are secured to the-trigger arm 48 and one of the uprights 41. Upon-the-movement of the shuttle bar 42 against the tension of thespring 46 a. sufficient distanceto bring the recess 50-into alignment with. the projection 49, the latter is drawn into the recess to prevent further movement. of the shuttle bar until the projection. 49v is released from the walls of the notch. 50.. The projection 49.1nay be released from the walls of the notch 50 by means of a: lever: 52, one end: of which is pivotally connected to the supportingbar 40inspaeed relation thereto. The free end of the lever 52 is normally maintained: in an elevated position by its frictional; engagement: with a leaf spring 53 which is. supported on a rod: 54; extending through the uprights-41' and-spacer plate 43; Upon movement of the free end of thelever 52 in a downward: direction, the lever is brought into contact, with a stop 55. projecting from the trigger. arm. 48 whereby the free end of the latter is moved down.- wardly against the tension of the spring 51 to disengage the projection 49 from the walls of the recess 50. Uponthe disengagement of the projection 49 from the walls of the recess 50, the tensionspring 46 operates to move the shoulder 45 into engagement with an edge face of one of: the uprights 41. The lever 52 is provided; witha handle member 56 for operating the same,

Projecting laterally from a spacer block 57 secured to the pivoted end portion of; the lever- 52 is a staple forming element 58 whichis disposed over anarcuate recess 59 in the upper face of the bar 40: when the lever 52 is swung about its pivot to its elevated position. Upon a downward movement of the leverabout its pivot, the staple forming element 58 is moved to a position within the recess 59. The staple forming element 58 is formed with a rounded lower face corresponding in contour to the wall ofthe recess 59. Formed in theend of the shuttle bar 42 opposite the handle member 47 is a slot 60 within which is secured one end of a leaf spring 61. The slot 60 is adapted to have inserted therein one end of .a length of wire; suchas 62, which is held in position within the slot by means of the spring 61. The Wire 62 is inserted within the slot 60 with the shuttle bar moved to the position in whichthe projection149 engages the wallof the recess 50, and witlrthe lever 52 moved to its elevatedzposition. \Vith the shuttle bar 42 and lever 52. thuspositioned, the wire 62 extends across the recess 59 along the upper; face of} the bar 40, andlbeneath the stapleforming element 58'. Upon" a downward movement oh the lever 52,. the lower faceof the staple formingelement58 is: brought into engagement withthe wire 62 whereby: the centralipor-t'iom ot the latter is forced into: the recess 59, assuming the contour of the latter.

Having an: end portion disposed between the spacer plate 43 and one of'the' uprights 41 is an arm 63 which: is provided in such end portion with an: elongated slot" 64 through which the rod 54 loosely extends; Garried by the'opposite end of the arm 63 is a hammer element 65' which isfixedly secured to the arm: and depends below the latter. A- portion of the hammer element 65 adjaeent'the free end of the arm: 63 is formed in its lower face with a convex-- recess; 66. In spaced relation to the recess 66, the hammer element 65 is provided on: its lower :face with a projection 67 Pivotal ly connected to the arm: 63; between the slot 64 and hammer element 65', is a: lever 68; the lower end of which ispivotally connected to a foot treadle69 w-hi'ch ispivotal ly mounted onthe vertically disposedi frame 2. The arm 63is normally maintained in its elevated position by" means of: a tension spring'70 the respective ends of which are connected with the treadle- 69-and the horizontally disposed frame 1. Connecting the lever- 68- witlrtheframe, 1 isa: tension spring 71 which normally maintains theend wall of the slot 64 farthest from thehammer element 65 in engagement with the rod 54. The lever 68 projects-above the arm 63 and is provided at" its: upper end with a handle member 72 by means of which. the lever 68 and arm: 63 may bemoved" against the tension: of the springll to bring the end wall of the slot 641 nearest to the hammer element 65: into engagement. withthe rod 54.

In the operation of the: machine, a pair of panels, such. as73 and 74 are fixedly secured in. any suitable manner with an edge portionxof: the panelr73 projecting into the slot. 12 in the guide element: 11, and: with an edge portion of: the panelv 74. seated on the upper face of? the-guide element 11: and

projecting inwardly fronrthe edgepoition of the panel:73lwhich is-disposed withinthe slot 12.. Before the edge portion. of the panel 73 is insertedlin the slot 12, suclredge portion is provided with a series of spaced openings such as 75. The openings 7.5'are arranged" inv spacech relation and: at; the points at whichit is desireditoconnect the panel 7 3 withit-he; panel 74.v With the. panels 73 and 74; thusarranged, the frames 1 and 2 are: moved? in a, forward". direct-ion along the track 4. Owingto-the tensionzof the spring 13;. the. panel 73 will: be main tained in engagement with the point 22.01? the outermostofthe'needles, 19: Theopenings 75 in; the panel. 73- are arranged from in the lower face of the shuttle bar.

the inner edge of the panel a distance equal to that between the outermost opening 21 through the guide element 11 and the inner endof the slot 12 in order that the openings 75 may be brought into alignment with the outermost of the openings 21 by the movement of the frame 1. Then the foremost of the openings 75 is brought into alignment with the outermost opening 21, the upper end 22 of the outermost needle 19 will be inserted through such opening 75 to automatically stop the forward movement of the frame. The foot treadle 33 is then depressed by means of which the needle receiving elements 25 are moved downwardly into engagement with the upper face of the panel 741 causing the points 22 of the needles 19 to be forced through the panel 7 a to punch therefrom relatively small openings 76. The foot treadle 33 is then released to permit the arm 2 1 to be swung upwardly about its pivot by the action of the spring 3 1, after which the handle 37 of the lever 35 is swung downwardly to move the guide element 11 upwardly for disengaging the upper ends of the needles 19 from the openings 76 in the panel 74. he frame 1 is then moved forwardly to bring the neXt opening 75 into alignment with the outermost opening 21, after which the above described operation is repeated.

The staple afiixing'mechanism is so arranged with respect to the hole punching mechanism that when the second opening 75 is brought into alignment with the outermost opening 21, the first opening 75 as well as the openings 76 adjacent thereto will be brought over the recess 59 in the supporting bar 10. The shuttle bar 12 is then moved against the tension of the spring 46 to bring the projection 19 of the trigger arm 18 into engagement with the walls of the recess 50 1 length of wire 62 is then inserted into the slot in the forward end of the shuttle bar as heretofore described, after which the lever 52 is swung about its pivot in a downward direction whereby the length of wire 62 is forced into the recess 59 by the action of the staple forming element 58. As previously described the downward movement of the lever 52 causes the projection 49 to be disengaged from the walls of the recess 50 whereby the shoulder on the shuttle bar is brought into engagement with an edge face of one of the uprights ll by the action of the spring 46.

After the return of the shuttle bar a2 to its normal position, the arm 63 is moved against the tension of the spring 71 by means of the handle member 72, which brings the recess 66 in the lower face of the hammer element into a position for contact with the end portions of the wire 62 upon swinging the arm 63 downwardly about its pivot. The arm 63 is then swung downwardly by means of the foot treadle 69 which brings the hammer element 65 into engagement with the upper face of the panel 74 to force the end portions of the wire 62 through the openings 76 punched from the panel '74. Upon the insertion of the end portions of the wire 62 through the openings 76, the convex recess 66 is brought into engagement with the end portions of the wire whereby the end portions of the Wire are forced away from each other as illustrated in Figure 11. The foot treadle 69 and handle member 72 are then released to permit the upward movement of the arm 63, and also to permit a longitudinal movement of the arm 63 in a manner to bring the projection 67 of the hammer element 65 into a position for engagement with the end portions of the wire 62 upon a downward movement of the arm 63 about its pivot. The

treadle 69 is then again depressed wherebythe projection 67 is forced against the end portions of the wire 62 to clinch said end portions as shown in Figure 12. The foot treadle 69 is then released and the frame 1 is again moved forwardly along the track at as heretofore described. Upon the forward movement of the frame 1, the wire 62 which has just been formed into a staple connecting the panels 73 and 74 passes through a recess 77 formed in the vertically disposed portion of the angle plate 39.

If desired a guide element 78 may be secured to the angle plate 39 as illustrated in Figure 2. The guide element 78 is of elongated formation and extends in a forward direction from the angle plate 39. Slidably mountedon the guide element 7 8 is a stop 79 which is adjusted to position the same a dis tance from the recess 59 equal to the distance between the recess 59 and the openings 21 through the guide element 11. hen the guide element 78 is employed, the last formed staple will be brought into engagement with the stop 79 coincidentally with the bringing of the last formed openings 76 into alignment with the recess 59, and with the bringing of another of the openings 7 5 into alignment with the outermost opening 21 in the guide element 11. When it is desired to again move the frame 1, the guide element 78 is moved in any suitable manner to move the stop 79 out of the path of the staple in engagement therewith to permit the staple to pass the stop 79, after which the guide element 78 is again moved into a position to bring the stop 79 into the path of travel of the last formed staple.

It is thought that the many advantages of a stapling machine in accordance with this invention will be readily apparent, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, yet

it is to be understood that changes in the V lUG size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, so long as such changes fall withinv the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a stapling machine for hingedly connecting a perforated panel with an imperforate panel, the combination of a frame adapted to be moved with respect to the panels, a punching mechanism carried by the frame for forming openings through the imperforate panel, and a staple afiixing mechanism including a staple forming means and acting to extend one side of the formed staple through said panels, the other side of the staple through one of said panels, and to secure to the latter panel the ends of the staple.

2. In a stapling machine for hingedly connecting a perforated panel with an imperforate panel, the combination of a frame adapted to be moved with respect to the panels, a punching mechanism carried by the frame for forming openings through the imperforate panel, and a staple affixing mechanism including a staple forming means and acting to extend one side of the formed staple through said panels, the other side of the staple through one of said panels, and to secure to the latter panel the ends of the staple, said mechanisms being relatively arranged to provide for the extension of a staple through a pair of openings formed in the imperforate panel simultaneously with the forming of another pair of openings in such panel.

3. In a stapling machine for hingedly connecting a perforated panel with an imperforate panel, the combination of a frame adapted to be moved with respect to the panels, a punching mechanism carried by the frame for forming openings through the imperforate panel, and a staple affixing mechanism including a staple forming means and acting to extend one side of the formed staple through said panels, the other side of the staple through one of said panels, and to secure to the latter panel the ends of the staple, said punching mechanism including a pair of spaced needles for engagement with one face of the imperforate panel and further including a pair of needle receiving elements for engagement with the opposite face of the imperforate panel.

4. In a stapling machine for hingedly connecting a perforated panel with an imperforate panel, the combination of a frame adapted to be moved with respect to the panels, a punching mechanism carried by the frame for forming openings through the imperforate panel, and a staple affixing mechanism including a staple forming means and acting to extend one side of the formed staple through said panels, the other side of the staple through one of said panels, and to secure to the latter panel the ends of thestaple,said punching mechanism including a pair of spaced needles for engagement with one face of the imperforate panel and further including a pair of needle receiving elements for engagement with the opposite face of the imperforate panel, said needles and needle receiving elements being longitudinally adjustable, said needles having tapered outer end portions.

5. In a stapling machine for hingedly connecting a perforated panel with an imperforate panel, the combination of a frame adapted to be moved with respect to the panels, a punching mechanism carried by the frame for forming openings through the imperforate panel, and a staple aflixing mechanism including a staple forming means and acting to extend one side of the formed staple through said panels, the other side of the staple through one of said panels, and to secure to the latter panel the ends of the staple, said staple aflixing mechanism further including a rigid bar for supporting the formed staple, and a pivotally mounted hammer element for forcing portions of the panels toward said rigid bar.

6. In a stapling machine for hingedly connecting a perforated panel with an imperforate panel, the combination of a frame adapted to be moved with respect to the panels, a punching mechanism carried by the frame for forming openings through the imperforate panel, and a staple affixing mechanism including a staple forming means and acting to extend one side of the formed staple through said panels, the other side of the staple through one of said panels, and to secure to the latter panel the ends of the staple, said staple affixing mechanism further including a rigid bar for supporting the formed staple, and a pivotally mounted hammer element for forcing portions of the panels toward said rigid bar, said hammer element having its operating face formed with a convexed recess and further formed with a projection adjacent the recess.

7 In a stapling machine for hingedly connecting a perforated panel with an imperforate panel, the combination of a frame adapted to be moved with respect to the panels, a punching mechanism carried by the frame for forming openings through the imperforate panel, and a staple aflixing mechanism including a staple forming means and acting to extend one side of the formed staple through said panels, the other side of the staple through one of said panels,

and to secure to the latter panel the ends of the staple, said staple aiiixing mechanism further including a rigid bar for supporting the formed staple, and a pivotally mounted hammer element for forcing portions of the panels toward said rigid bar,

said'hammer element having its operating face formed with a convex recess and further formed with a projection adjacent the recess, said hammer element being slidable with respect to its'pivotto provide for the positioning of said recess and projection selectively in alignment With the formed staple.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature hereto.

' CARL F. CAPELL. 

